Saturday, July 6, 2019

Little Known Facts About Native American Pow Wows

By Rebecca Barnes


No matter where you are in this world, for a time in your life you are aware of tribe ceremonial gatherings. Every place and tribe has its way of celebrating their identity and culture. However, modern life has allowed these practices to be at its extinction. Today, not all celebrate their heritage, and only a few tribes still follow their tradition. There are ways on how these tribes and ancestry would further develop their ceremonies which allowed the new generation of their tribe to experience it as well. The Native american pow wows are proof that these types of ceremonial activities still exist.

Celebrations like these are a way of maintaining and preserving the tribe. Like the powwow, it has served the purpose for the newer generation to still acquire and possess the rich heritage of American Indians. It is an effective way to get involve and be part of the culture through social gatherings, singing and dancing, and tribal activities. It has allowed the renewal of friendship and engaging in a new one. This also served as a method to renew their culture.

Going back as to how it started, the powwow is termed for a healing ceremony that is executed by religious leaders. However, how it started was still part of the commonly asked questions by people, yet no answer is served. As most of them are big believers in both physical existence and spiritual, the existence of powwow has served as an entertainment and a way of healing for every native. It is mostly celebrated during the summer and spring months.

Believers are among the individuals who started with such tradition. It was their way to honor their creator and to acquire knowledge and intelligence as well. It eventually nurtured through the ages, and now, it evolved to something relevant that still aims to maintain the solemnity of the ceremony as to how it used to be. Many performers have engaged in dancing and singing, and through this, people were also offered the opportunity to socialize and be friends with others.

The dancing, gathering, chants, healing sessions and the loud boom of every drum are the major components as to how it should be celebrated. The new set of generation is fortunate enough to still celebrate this kind of renewal and social gathering celebration. The natives have tried to continue this tradition, not just for their interest, but to let others experience it as well. Some powwows would go around different places in the country just to teach other people and inform them further on the Native American culture.

Apart from dancing, there are also singing activities that are mostly competition oriented. Performances are mostly related to religion, stories and the involvement of their culture. This celebration would usually last up to three days straight with several dancers and singers who would participate. This is attended by over one hundred thousand people who would watch, socialize and enjoy the festivities. This explains how this culture has been highly celebrated today.

It is also the time where they can show how they can beautifully tailor dresses which mostly consist of colorful and luxurious look with a twist of its unique detailing. These dresses are not just for the sake of it, but it is mostly made from where it originated and how each serves with its meaning. Their dances would include gourd dancing, cloth dancing and so much more exciting types. Truly, they nurtured their practices since then.

Today, only a few tribes have developed the practice of celebrating their culture. Festivals today are mostly done through parties with loud music, drinks, and food, which is the total opposite of how natives would celebrate their culture. Although not all understand why these people continue what they have started, it is where natives gain pride and abundance and that is through celebrating their own culture.

The importance of preserving a culture and has been out of the context in modern living. People today would rather argue over a certain belief that settled for it. Renewal of heritage is important for various reasons. One is to reestablish the given identity and help in rebuilding the cultural image. It facilitates people to further understand local pride, spirit and what you truly believe in.




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